Instagram's New App Basically Makes GIFs for You

Because even Instagram thinks your endless stream of food pics and travel selfies is getting old, the company launched a new standalone app on Thursday that'll spice up your profile with short video loops. And it looks like a lot of fun.

The app, aptly (we had to) called Boomerang, takes a quick burst of five photos at the tap of a button, then stitches them together to make a 1-second video that plays forward and backward. Instagram said it's more than just photos or gifs, but an entirely new thing it wants you to call -- you guessed it -- a Boomerang, which is not to be confused with a Bangerang. Boomerangs can be shot in portrait or landscape orientations and can be easily shared to your Instagram and Facebook, just like the company's previous standalone apps, Layout and Hyperlapse.

When Instagram rolled out Hyperlapse last year, it was basically the bees knees for a little while, but seems to be mostly forgotten now. Maybe this one will catch on, and for longer. Instagram shared a quick video showing off Boomerang, here:

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Tony Merevick is Cities News Editor at Thrillist and seriously needs to up his Instagram game because it's been lacking lately. Send news tips to news@thrillist.com and follow him on Twitter @tonymerevick.